Local councillor Bob Ellis was one of hundreds who took part in the third annual Alliance Trust Cateran Yomp.

More than 400 yompers took part in the highly-anticipated East Perthshire event, held over the weekend of June 15 and 16.

Generous participants helped to raise £350,000 for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and Alliance Trust, which supports The Prince’s Trust’s work in Scotland and local Tayside charities.

The event, which starts and finishes in Blairgowrie, sees teams take on routes of between 22 and 52 miles along the Cateran Trail.

Councillor Ellis, a co-founder of the Cateran Trail, explained: “At 6.50am I, along with over 300 other yompers, lined up to tackle the Cateran Trail. Before we could get on our way, we were attacked by the Ardblair Highlanders – who demanded money.

“The weather was perfect and I was teamed up with two other ex-servicemen, Alastair Campbell and Bill Jackson. We arrived in Bridge of Cally in fine fettle, although Bill had to drop out at that point.

“At Ballintuim we were met by Mark Beaumont who was encouraging Yompers along the route. Kirkmichael came and went and then it was on to the bronze finish at the Spittal of Glenshee.

Keen outdoor enthusiast Councillor Ellis continued: “After a hasty meal it was off to Kirkton of Glenisla, where I hoped to finish, although I did still have my eye on the gold distance.

“The route round Loch Beanie slowed us up as it was very boggy. We stopped at the filling station at Auchentaple Loch and had fantastic haggis, neeps and tatties.

“We arrived at Glenisla, where I decided that, given my sore legs, and following the advice of others, I would retire – happy with a silver medal and time of 13 hours and seven minutes. Alastair carried on to the gold finish.

“This event is very well organised by Wildfox Events and supported by the Alliance Trust. A lot of work is also done by ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the many volunteers who work from Friday through to Sunday lunchtime.

“It is a great event and it has a definite significant economic boost to the East Perthshire area.’’